Bali & the Komodo Islands Yacht Cruise

The Aqua Blu

The Aqua Blu began its working life as a British naval explorer vessel and later served as the private yacht of a European noble family before a 2019 refurbishment under Dutch designer Cor D. Rover transformed it into one of the most refined small-ship expedition yachts operating in Southeast Asia. The brass-and-ivory interior, 15 individually designed suites, and a sun deck with 360-degree views hold the history of the vessel while delivering the standard of a private superyacht charter. Maximum capacity is 30 guests; on this itinerary, Alpenglow has the ship entirely.

The cuisine is overseen by chef Benjamin Cross, whose menus draw from Indonesia's spice trade history — expect sustainably-sourced seafood served plated at dinner, communal barbecues on the sun deck as the ship anchors for the night, and breakfasts with volcanic island silhouettes as the backdrop. The crew of 25 includes a cruise director, a dedicated dive instructor, and four guides who rotate through each day's excursions.

Bali to the Flores Sea: Days 1–3

Embarkation is in Benoa, Bali. The ship departs into the Bali Strait on the first evening as the sun goes down over the island's volcanic ridgeline. The first full day at sea covers the passage east, with Moyo Island the first significant stop — a remote, hilly island whose interior hides a waterfall reached by a guided jungle walk through fig trees and wild orchids. The waterfall pool at the centre of the island is cold, clear, and used by almost nobody.

Saleh Bay follows: a sheltered deep-water anchorage where whale sharks have been sighted depending on the month. The evening at Satonda brings the dramatic fruit bat flight — thousands of bats exiting the island's volcanic crater at dusk in a cloud that blackens the sky for several minutes. In the morning, kayaks are deployed into the crater lake itself, a rare brackish lagoon formed inside the collapsed caldera.

Komodo National Park: Days 4–7

The heart of the itinerary. Komodo National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site covering 1,733 square kilometres of islands, sea, and protected reef. The Aqua Blu's shallow draft and tender fleet allow access to anchorages and dive sites that larger vessels cannot reach.

The Komodo dragon encounters take place on Rinca Island and Komodo Island, led by park rangers who track the animals through the dry savannah on foot. The dragons — adults reach three metres and 70 kilograms — are genuinely prehistoric in their movement and indifferent to human presence in a way that takes a moment to adjust to. The largest population on any single island in the park lives on Rinca.

Padar Island requires a hike: 20–40 minutes up a steep savannah ridge to a viewpoint that reveals three crescent-shaped beaches simultaneously — pink sand, black sand, and white sand — enclosed by the cobalt blue of the Flores Sea. The view from the top is one of the most photographed in Indonesia and looks better in person. Sunset cocktails are served on the beach below before the tenders return to the ship.

Pink Beach on Komodo Island gets its colour from fragments of red coral mixed into the white sand — a process produced by microscopic creatures called foraminifera. The beach is also one of the park's best snorkel sites, with healthy table coral beginning just metres from the waterline and reef fish in concentrations that reward even non-divers. The Horseshoe Bay section of the park — the remains of an ancient volcanic caldera — holds some of the best dive sites in the region, including Cannibal Rock and the Yellow Wall of Texas, both accessible from the ship's dedicated dive tender.

The Coral Triangle — the marine biodiversity centre of the world, covering parts of Indonesia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, and East Timor — means that every snorkel and dive session here involves wildlife density that experienced divers describe as unlike anywhere else. Over 1,000 marine species, 260 coral species, manta rays, whale sharks, sea turtles, and mola mola (ocean sunfish) are all documented within the park. The ship carries full scuba gear, wetsuits, tanks, computers, and a dedicated dive tender; the dive instructor runs daily briefings and accompanies all underwater excursions. No prior certification is required for snorkelling, and guided dives are available for certified divers at all levels.

Gili Lawa and the Passage to Labuan Bajo: Days 8–9

The final two days move north and west through the park's outer islands. Gili Lawa offers shallow reef bays for kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding, with Rusa deer grazing the island's beaches at low tide. Gili Banta — a remote anchorage where the Eastern Ridge hike delivers views of the surrounding sea and the Sangeang volcano — provides the final morning dive before the ship turns toward Labuan Bajo for disembarkation.

The Linta Strait, where the Indian Ocean meets the Flores Sea, creates a nutrient-rich current that makes it one of the most productive drift dive and drift snorkel sites in the park. Manta rays and large schools of barracuda are common here. The final sunset of the cruise is served from the sun deck with cocktails as the Flores coast comes into view.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to be a certified diver to join this cruise?

No. Snorkelling is included in every water-based excursion and requires no certification or prior experience. The dive instructor runs daily introductory sessions for first-timers who want to try scuba. Certified divers at all levels are accommodated, with dive sites calibrated for both recreational divers and advanced open-water divers. The ship carries all equipment.

What is the sea condition like in June?

June falls in the middle of the dry season, which runs April through September. This is the optimal sailing window — the northwest monsoon has passed, skies are clear, and sea conditions in the Flores Sea are generally calm. The Linta Strait can produce stronger currents, which is what makes it excellent for drift diving but is worth noting for non-swimmers.

How many people are aboard?

The Aqua Blu holds a maximum of 30 guests across its 15 suites. Alpenglow has chartered the entire vessel, so all guests are part of the same group.

What is the fitness level required?

Moderate. The Padar Island hike to the viewpoint takes 20–40 minutes on uneven terrain and involves some elevation. The Moyo Island waterfall walk is a similar distance through forest. All hikes are optional — guests can stay aboard or take the tenders to the beach. Water activities are entirely self-selected; the ship operates on the principle that each guest does as much or as little as they choose each day.

What is included in the cruise fare?

All meals, all non-alcoholic beverages, wine and beer with dinner, daily excursions, snorkelling and diving equipment, kayaks and paddleboards, park entrance fees, guided hikes, and laundry service are included. Premium spirits and spa treatments are available at additional cost.